Why cellulite is GOOD FOR YOU!

You may think it unsightly, but those wobbly bits are misunderstood – here’s why…

- JENNY ROWE

Bulging somewhere you’d rather not? While weight gain in certain areas could signal a health concern, if it’s down to poor diet and a sedentary to poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, you might be reassured to know that not all fat is equally harmful. In fact, cellulite may even protect against some inflammation-related conditions, such as heart disease and dementia, according to a recent study*. What you should do about any lumps and bumps depends on two things: what type of fat it is and where on your body it is stored…

Bulges with benefits

‘Women need a minimum amount of body fat for good health,’ says registered nutritional therapist Kate Scott from DNApal.me. So while you might hate what it looks like, cellulite occurs in people of all sizes, explains Kate.

Cellulite is subcutaneous fat, which means it lies just under the skin. The opposite type, visceral fat, builds up deeper inside the body around the vital organs. ‘Unlike subcutaneous fat that acts like harmless padding, visceral fat has the potential to release fatty acids, chemicals and hormones into the blood, which is linked with chronic health issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver and dementia,’ says Kate.

How do you measure up?

Ideally, your fat should be 90% subcutaneous, 10% visceral, says Kate. Place a tape measure around your waist just above your hip bones. For women, a measurement of 80cm or less is considered healthy.

How to banish your wobbly bits